Global songs database moving forward

The working group looking to develop a Global Repertoire Database that would make it easier for licensees to identify the owners of copyrights in songs in each territory around the world says that significant progress has been made in the last twelve months, and that the coming year should also include some “important milestones in the realisation of the project”.

The main achievement to date is the completion of a scoping study. The project is now in a ‘requirements and design phase’, with plans to set up the GRD as a standalone legal entity this year, and to begin IT development. The current aim is to launch the database in 2015.

The various rights owners, collecting societies and digital firms involved in the GRD reaffirmed their commitment to the venture this week, with Andrew Jenkins of the International Confederation Of Music Publishers telling CMU: “ICMP and its music publisher members around the world are committed to the development of the Global Repertoire Database which will benefit all those who have a stake in improved music licensing processes including creators, music publishers, collecting societies, music suppliers and fans of music everywhere. Indeed, it is impossible to argue against the benefits of the GRD for the wider community and all of us involved are working together to deliver something that will be a game-changer for the industry”.